bookworm

Her little body was so hot I had to literally peel each book off of her. You've got to wonder what was going through her head as she was nodding off. "Just one....more........page........." She is a strange and wonderful girl.

First haircut!

I finally caved and got Ava's hair cut this week. I love her curls and have no idea where they came from so I was a little paranoid (read: panic stricken) that they would all be gone afterwards. But those long hairs from her baby days were putting up a fight as I tried to turn her from Diana Ross into Shirley Temple each morning. Finally enough was enough and I took Ava to a fancy salon for the princess treatment, which I justified by saying that it evened out to $5 a year. I guess that means this one will have to last until she's ten. The stylist went easy on her (read: me) and very carefully spiral curled each chunk of hair under the diffuser. The result was beautiful and I actually felt a little teary at how different she looked. I know she's a big girl and most days I am embracing the joy that is four year old Ava. But some days I want to hold a little tighter to this

I did manage to hold it all together and be her cheerleader, not that she needed it as she was able to watch two separate movies in a mini yellow taxi that she drove the entire time. Oh, and there was sparkle spray, lots of sparkle spray. I mean, who needs Mom when there's sparkle spray involved?

Happy girl = happy mama. And not to worry, the stylist told me that she's going to have a full head of thick curly hair for a long time to come. I am sure her 14 year old self is going to be thrilled!

Summer Snapshots

Well I didn't intend to take such a long hiatus, we've been so busy soaking up the last few days of summer family time that blogging got away from me. Today is our last day before Ben goes back to work on Monday and I'm a little depressed about it. I love everything about having Ben home for eleven straight weeks. I love sleeping in and morning ''runs'' and looking out the window while he plays with the kids in the sandbox. I love all our family adventures on a random Wednesday when it's never crowded. I love that I can go grocery shopping by myself or take Ava to the movies at noon. I love having my partner with me in all of life to talk to throughout the day and connect with, not just over dinner after a long day when we're both exhausted but while sitting on the swing in the afternoon. I know I'm spoiled and I'm lucky he gets home by 5 and has every summer off but I'm just being honest. It has been a wonderful summer and I am thankful for every minute of it.

Enchanted Forest

Family Bocce Ball tournament

Pool, pool, pool

Watermelon

Popsicles

Brave boy

Ice Cream

Daddy/Daughter campout

Silvercreek Falls

Blackberry lemonade

Lazy Swinging

County Fair

Family ride to Portland

Playdates

Happy Hour

Pool pose

eavesdropping...

Ava (eyes closed, hands clenched, hushed tones): Dear God, Hi! I hope you are having a wonderful day. I just wanted to remind you how much I want those wings so I can fly around. Thank you and bye and I love you!

Girls Weekend

I'm still breathing deep from my time away. It's amazing how easy it is to adapt to a day of no schedules, beach air, and three hour meals. It was pure indulgence at every turn. From waking up at any hour to leisurely coffee shop mornings, to hours on the sand reading, spontaneous sandal shopping, and conversation laden four course dinners. But despite all of the tangible stuff, there was such joy in processing what God is doing in my heart. I came back feeling a little clearer about how desperately I want to see Him at work in me and my family. I don't know exactly what that looks like but it feels good to seek His purposes and have a renewed desire to see Him in everything. I am so so thankful for the opportunity to step back and for the fresh energy I've been given. Below are some of the highlights from the trip, minus the very interesting massage experience I had which I'm still processing. :)

Eyeing the doughnuts at the farmer's market

Shopping for the essentials

Slow mornings

My new favorite Jenni pic

Hat adventures

Gorgeous girls

Exercise?

In & Out Burger joy

Garett's prize sea bass

Giddy

Garden paradise dinner

Cozy breakfast nook

I'm pretty sure this is going to have to become a yearly tradition because every now and then Mama just needs a little time to herself.

Happy Anniversa-B...

August 10, 2003 Ben and I were married. Eight years, two states, two kids, one cat, two fish, three jobs, two homes, a couple hundred fights, and about a million kisses later we are here celebrating. I have so much to say and nothing really at all. I hope that if my 26 year old self caught a glimpse into our life that she would be filled with joy and amazement at what God has brought about. Hopefully, she would look past the garage filled with 'stuff' and the fall family calendar nearly pencilled full and want to stay a little longer to see the expressions of love and hear the sweet conversations at bedtime. I am so thankful that God selected the partner he did for me. To be honest, it was kind of unexpected. But who wouldn't be won over by honesty, faithfulness, hilarity, and unending affection? My life with Ben has been full of surprises but probably what surprises me the most is that he looks at me the same way now as he did when I was 19. Exactly the same. It's hard to explain but it's almost like he's surprised by me. This journey has been different than I thought but so wonderful to know and be known, to love and be loved. And that is what we celebrate today.

Signing off...

Mama is flying the coop. Tomorrow I will wake up and walk into the airport with my two hands free. Here's what I have packed in my carry-on: wallet, blanket, book, journal, and chapstick. I have laughed out loud at least three times that I've walked past my bag. I didn't even make a packing list.

A girls weekend is definitely in order. It was probably in order about a year ago but all things considered I'm just thankful it's happening at all. Let's face it, any Mama leaving the house is a serious affair. But especially one as controlling as me. If you knew the amount of time I've spent preparing color coded index cards with "suggestions" written on them, you probably would call in a specialist for help. And lets not get into the daily scavenger hunts I prepared so that my children would be placated by material goods. Apparently I suffered from extreme Mommy guilt this week. I am not proud.

But let's focus on the good shall we? I am less then 24 hours away from sunny San Luis Obispo and the giddy embraces of two of my favorite people in this world. Here's what there will be: laughter, and Sangria, and massages, and walks on the beach, and yummy food, and fruit ice, and Sangria, and music sung by adults, and reading, and laughter, and quiet, and did I mention Sangria? Here's what there wont be: crying, whining, Wheels on the Bus on repeat, eggs cooked to order (unless they're mine), interrupted meals, books with pictures, calming tones, temper tantrums, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, dirty diapers, or 6am wake up calls.

Now, that's not to say that I won't miss the morning snuggles, or the bedtime giggles, or all the sweetness in between. But there comes a time when it is good to only have to take care of yourself, just for a moment. A time to really miss those that you love and fill up the places inside that get a little left out during the chaos. And that is what I'm most looking forward to.

So, here's to a weekend away and a shout out to an amazing husband who is choosing someone else's needs above his own. Thanks B!